Our Team
Sabyasachi Rakshit
Email: srakshit[at]iisermohali[dot]ac.in
2013 December - Onwards, Assisting...
My current research goal is to decipher the role of mechanical force in chemistry and biology. My other goal is to explore and capture the untouched beauty of the Himalaya.
Gayathri S. Singaraju
Email: sindhuri[at]iisermohali[dot]ac.in
Jan, 2014 - Dec, 2019.
2020 - onwards: Postdoc in the lab of Prof. CP Heisenberg at IST Austria
My current research goal is to decipher the mechanical properties of proteins in hearing, at the single molecule level using AFM and TIRF microscope. During my masters at University of Lucknow, I dealt with artificial sweeteners. Other than science, I am passionate about travelling, reading books and always ready to debate on politics, cinema and cricket.
Jagadish Prasad Hazra Email:jagadishhazra[at]iisermohali[dot]ac.in
2015 - 2021
2022 -Onwards: Joining postdoc in the lab of Prof. Achillefs Kapanidis at Oxford University, UK
My current research aim is to understand the protein-protein interaction strength using single molecule force spectroscopy with AFM and conformational change of protein using single-pair FRET with TIRF Microscope. Previously I have worked in the synthesis of 1,5-Benzodiazepine using multi-component strategy. Other than science I love acting in drama, cycling and writing poems in leisure time.
Ankit Kumar
MS Project: 2014 -2015
Currently: PhD at CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum
My current research aim is to understand the calcium dependent conformational change of cadherin 23, one of the protein involved in mechnaotransduction in hearing using in-silico moleuclar dynamics simulation. Other than research I love browsing, computing and football.
Debadutta Deb Email: debd[at]tcd.ie
2015 June - 2017,
Currently at NCBS, Bangalore in Dr. Raj Ladher's Group
I recently joined this vibrant interdisciplinary laboratory as a biologist, perhaps the only apple among oranges. Currently, I am working on bacterial protein conformation, related enzymatic activities and their implication on the bio-film formation. Previously as a Ph.D and a post-doctoral fellow in Trinity College Dublin and Université de Liége, I worked on protein-protein interaction and inner ear biology. Along with science, I am passionate about music making, photography and adventure sports.
Anuj Kumar Email:anujkumar.chidar[at]gmail
Summer: 2015
MS Project: 2017-2018
Pursuing PhD at Kavli Institute (Prof. Nynke Dekker's lab)
My prime interest lies in structural/Molecular biology and computational biology. My aim is to decipher the structural dynamics of proteins and their complexes which play a significant role in biological processes. I like to study the structure of bio-molecules under near-physiological conditions and to examine the changes in the architecture and dynamics in response to variations in external stimuli using a comprehensive combination of structural/computational biology techniques, including small/wide angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and Molecular dynamics simulation.
Shwetha Srinivasan
2015, August - 2016, August: MS project
Currently pursuing PhD. at MIT
My research interests lie in the field of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, an interdisciplinary field which overlaps with physical, chemical and biological sciences. My aim is to decipher the structure and dynamics of proteins which play a significant role in biological processes using an array of state of the art techniques. Single molecule dynamics force spectroscopy is one such elegant technique which can help to decipher the strength of non-covalent interactions at the single molecule level. Non-covalent interactions are very important interactions which drive protein biology.
Sunanda Yengkhom
2015, June - August, 2016
Budding Administrator
I am interested in understanding the mechano-elastic properties of proteins that serve in mechanical transduction. I plan to use single molecule force spectroscopy for this study.
Jesse Samuel Sebastian
Email: samjesse[at]gmail
2016-2017
I did my PhD on understanding the proteolysis patterns of erythropoietin (Epo) and how engineered mutations can affect its in vivo half-life. Post PhD, I landed in a job with Sigma-Aldrich India as an application specialist. Driven by my basic habits, I shortened my corporate life and joined Rakshit-lab. I'm currently working on non-classical cadherins. With a great environment, awesome labmates and some exciting scientific questions to answer, I look forward to delving deeper into our research investigations. I'm passionate about photography, travelling and writing. I also am a big fan of the Discovery and National Geographic channels.
Surbhi Garg
Email: garg.surbhi311[at]gmail
2016, January - Onwards
I am an Int.PhD student and I have done my graduation from Hansraj College (D.U.) in Chemistry (Hons.). I have joined this lab as a PhD in August-2016. At present, my research area is to elucidate the evolutionary role of linker (small unstructured region) connecting two protein domains using protein unfolding studies via AFM. I enjoy watching T.V., love to drive and like to cook.
Satavisa Jana
MS Project: 2016-2017
Currently pursuing Phd at University of California, San Diego
Ch. Sai Srinivas Email: snvs.soc[at]gmail
I have completed my integrated M.Sc in Chemistry from University of Hyderabad. Currently I am working on understanding the involvement of Cadherin-23, a non classical cadherin, in cell-cell adhesion and cancer metastasis. Apart from research I am interested in playing outdoor games, coffee time with friends and visiting new places.
Nisha Arora
I completed my master degree in chemistry from Kurukshetra University. Currently I am working on the elucidation of elastic properties and unfolding mechanism of entire extracellular domains of inner ear proteins, cadherin23 and protocadherin15 using Atomic Force Microscopy. I also intend to study the conformational dynamics of these proteins using smFRET with Total Internal Reflection fluorescence microscope (TIRFM). Previously I worked on the trapping of an enzymatic reaction intermediate at single molecule level and studying the evolution of its reaction pathway under mechanical force.
Apart from science I enjoy listening songs, dancing and clicking pictures.
Malay Sannigrahi
Postdoc: 2017 -2019
Currently pursuing post-doctoral research in University of Pennsylvania
My current research is to decipher the role of Cadherin-23 in the invasion-metastasis cascade. I am using various in-vitro methods and molecular biology tools to elucidate the physiological relevance, down-stream pathways and regulatory mechanisms of cadherin-23 in tumorigenesis. My PhD is from PGIMER, Chandigarh where I dealt with epigenetic targeting viral induced carcinogenesis. Beside science, my favourite hobbies are writing poems, pencil sketch, travelling, eating out, and once in a week...DOING NOTHING......the sleep-eat-sleep cycle..........!!
Project Assistant: 2018 - 2019, May (PhD at PSU, USA )
I have completed my MSc. in Biotechnology from Pondicherry University and currently I'm trying to decipher the role of protein linker in force propagation and protein stability. Also, I'm interested in decoding the structural and functional properties of mechanosensitive proteins involved in hearing using single molecule studies. During my Masters, I worked on cloning and expression of proteins in different model systems. Apart from this, sometimes I submit to my wanderlust. Also, I love reading novels, watching movies, and playing video games.
2018, May - 2019, May (PhD at IISER Bhopal)
I recently joined this vibrant lab for my BS-MS project. My aim is to understand the force responsive behavior of inner ear proteins using single molecule force spectroscopy with AFM. Other than research I enjoy doing cycling, wall painting and abstract sketching.
2018, May - Continuing
I graduated from CCS University (Meerut). Previously, I have worked on synthesis of biologically active compounds “spiro-oxindoles ”.Then I joined this vibrant lab, where amalgamation of Chemistry, Physics, Biology and computer science is being utilized to get insight into biological phenomenon. Currently, I am involved in building of low cost and high precision Magnetic tweezers for unfolding and refolding studies of Bio-macromolecules at the single molecule level. I am extremely passionate about playing cricket, cycling and visiting new places.
2018, August - Continuing
I hail from the Himalayan State of India, also known as 'Dev Bhumi' with a MSc in Chemistry from Kumaun University. I joined this multi-disciplinary research group in 2018. My interest lies in generation of designer proteins and understanding the protein- protein interaction using AFM and Magnetic tweezer. Apart from research I like music and visiting new places.
Shweta Mishra Email:
Final year MS student, 2019, May - 2020 (Currently PhD at Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, USA)
I am a molecular biologist by training, open to learning new things and exploring newer horizons. I am fascinated by the differential responses of biological systems to their changing environment and the mechanism underlying these responses. As part of my MS thesis, I intend on understanding signaling mediated by Cadherin-23 using molecular, cellular and biophysical techniques. When the going gets tough, I seek solace in memes and music.
Final year MS student, 2019, May - 2020 (PhD at IISER Mohali)
My research interest lies in studying the physical and chemical properties of protein and inferring the biology behind it. My current objective is to decipher the role of non-canonical linker in Cadherin-23 and how they help in maintaining normal hearing capability. MD simulation, AFM, Magnetic tweezer and TIRF will be used to study the force propagation along the protein and measuring the elasticity as well as force induced conformational change in both canonical and non-canonical scenario. I have a keen interest in neurodegenerative diseases which arises due to protein misfolding and aggregation, like-Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease. I love to play football, cricket and chess; and I am very passionate about films and photography.
Final year MS student, 2019, August - 2020 (PhD at Yale Univ, USA
I am a theoretical chemist with a sweet spot for experimental biophysics. I am motivated by the immense possibilities that dynamic force spectroscopy has to offer. Currently, i am focusing on decoding the complexities involved in age related hearing loss with dynamic force measurements using Magnetic tweezer, Atomic Force Microscopy etc. Apart from science, I love to do theater, travel and read.
Nilesh Deokate Email:
Final year MS student, 2019, May - 2020 (PhD at IIT Bombay)
My current research lies in deciphering the role of pcdh15 in neuroepithelial cells. I did last three summers in this lab where I worked on the role of cdh23 in cell-cell adhesion and the role of cdh23 in cancer cell migration. Other than science I enjoy playing kabaddi and kho-kho. I also enjoy swimming on hot summer day and during holi.
PhD, 2019, August - onwards
I joined this lab recently and still fretting around with seniors to understand their research problems. I come with an expertise in Chemical biology with a master from Akal university (Punjab) . I am excited to pursue my PhD in this lab. When I am not in lab, I am either cooking and reading book, or travelling with a book.
Summer Project Students
Nilesh
Annantbir Kaur
Saikat Das
Lopamudra Das
Ajit Sahoo
Adarsh Bharadwaj
Viswajit
Rohini
